Sun Yaoqing noticed how every gaze in the hall clung to Bai Zihan, as if he were some rare beast on display rather than a guest.

(It’s a bit rude…)

They had summoned him here, yet now they only stared.

If it had been her standing alone beneath so many watchful eyes, she wasn’t sure she could have endured it.

But Bai Zihan?

“Tsk1”

The sharp click of his tongue cut through the silence. His crimson eyes narrowed, not with nervousness but with clear annoyance.

“Why have you called me?”

The words fell like a stone into still water-ripples of shock spread instantly through the chamber.

Gasps were stifled, sleeves twitched, and several ministers paled with anger. No one-no one-spoke to the Emperor of the Falling Star Empire in such a tone.

A minister could not restrain himself. Face flushed, he slammed his palm against the table.

“Young Master Bai! This is the imperial audience hall, and before you sits His Majesty, the Son of Heaven! Show proper respect-mind your manners before the Emperor!”

The man’s voice cracked like thunder, righteous and indignant. Several nobles nodded sharply, their own outrage barely contained.

But Bai Zihan didn’t so much as glance at him.

“He is your Emperor, not mine.”

The hall froze.

And before the silence could even breathe, he added-his voice low, but cutting through the chamber like a blade:

“Even if he were, I would not tolerate being shown such disrespect.”

The weight of those words settled heavy, suffocating.

Sun Yaoqing felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck, though her face remained composed.

(That line… it says everything.)

Until now, the Bai Clan’s reputation-equal to, perhaps even greater than, the Imperial Family of the Desolate Heaven Empire-had been spoken of in whispers. Rumors, boasts, exaggerations.

But this… his casual dismissal of his emperor in front of his entire court… proved it wasn’t just a rumor.

Bai Zihan stood there, unflinching, unrepentant. Upright, calm, almost bored.

He wasn’t going to apologize. That much was obvious.

Sun Yaoqing had never seen anyone treat her father this way. And yet… in a strange way, it was refreshing.

The court erupted into chaos.

“This arrogance-unforgivable!”

“He must apologize!”

“Your Majesty, he insults the Empire itself!”

The storm swelled, until-

“Silence!”

The Emperor’s voice split the uproar. The hall snapped still. Ministers ducked their heads, generals straightened, noble daughters pressed their lips tight.

The Emperor’s gaze locked onto Bai Zihan, unreadable yet heavy with authority.

“Bai Zihan,” he said slowly, measuredly, “this emperor is pleased that you have come to the Falling Star Empire-and even more so that you agreed to have a meeting with us.”

His tone calmed the storm but did not dispel the tension. It was the authority of a ruler forcing the waves to still.

“As for why I summoned you…” His eyes narrowed slightly, hawk-sharp.

“It is simple. The Desolate Heaven Empire calls you one of its greatest geniuses. This emperor wished to see with his own eyes… and to know the reason for your visit.”

The chamber hushed, breath held, all ears straining.

Even Sun Yaoqing leaned forward slightly.

(Yes… what is your purpose, Bai Zihan?)

The young man’s red eyes flickered, but his voice was steady when he finally

spoke.

“There is an organization in your Empire that seeks my life,” he said bluntly. “I

am here to destroy them.”

The hall erupted once more.

“What?!”

“He dares-!”

“An outsider cannot simply act as he pleases within our borders!”

The Emperor’s hand lifted, silencing them again. His eyes remained fixed on Bai

Zihan.

“Do you know the name of this organization?”

Bai Zihan shrugged, one hand spread lazily.

“No. But I know where they are.” His tone carried absolute confidence.

That only stirred greater unease.

(He came to our Empire to destroy an organization whose name he doesn’t

even know…?)

Sun Yaoqing frowned behind her sleeve.

(Such recklessness… or is it absolute confidence?)

A minister could no longer contain himself.

“YOU!”

His voice cracked with fury.

“How dare you enter our Empire with such words! You mask your true intent. Your Majesty, this youth cannot be trusted-he must not be allowed to act

freely!”

The chamber filled again with mutters of assent, rising into a swell of hostility.

The Emperor closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them, gaze cold as frost.

“Bai Zihan,” he said slowly, “do you realize your actions could be seen as an act

of war?”

A hush fell once more.

All eyes turned to the young heir of the Bai Clan.

And Bai Zihan just… smiled.

Quite a sinister one! The silence thickened, stretching like a bowstring ready to snap.

Then-

“Hahaha!”

The Emperor’s sudden laughter boomed through the chamber, startling

everyone. The sound was rich, hearty, utterly at odds with the suffocating

tension just moments before.

Ministers blinked in disbelief, exchanging confused glances. Was His Majesty….

laughing?

The Emperor rose from his throne, his robes sweeping with regal weight.

His eyes, however, gleamed with something sharp and knowing as they fixed on

Bai Zihan.

“This emperor was only testing you, young man,” he said, voice carrying

amusement that danced with subtle steel.

“And you have not disappointed me. Truly, the Bai Clan raises dragons.”

He stepped forward, each stride unhurried yet commanding. The nobles bowed instinctively as he passed, none daring to breathe too loudly.

Stopping before Bai Zihan, the Emperor studied him closely, then smiled in a

way that was both genial and calculating.

“You seek an enemy within my Empire? Then this emperor shall ensure you are

not hindered. But…” his tone softened, almost warm, “how about you accompany this old man for a walk? Allow me to show you the heart of the

Falling Star Empire with my own hands.”

Others tried to stop the Emperor but they were all stopped at a wave of a hand.

Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A tour of the palace? It sounded like a waste of time. He could already feel the

annoyance prickling in his chest. But…

(If the Emperor himself is granting permission, refusing would be needless

trouble.)

He gave a faint nod, his crimson gaze steady.

“Very well!”

The Emperor’s smile widened faintly. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the

court.

“Everyone else is excused. Matters of state can wait. Sun Yaoqing, you will accompany us. General Wu, Elder Han-you as well.”

The ministers and nobles bowed low, though many wore tight, dissatisfied

expressions as they shuffled out.

The tension lingered in the air like storm clouds, but none dared object to the

Emperor’s will.

Soon, the vast audience hall emptied, leaving only a small retinue.

Sun Yaoqing rose gracefully, her expression calm, though her heart stirred with

curiosity.

(A walk with Father… and Bai Zihan?)